The Human Immune Monitoring Center (HIMC)
WHAT’S NEW at HIMC
Luminex Assays: We now have new Luminex assays for 115 human cytokines and for 68 mouse cytokines. We still offer smaller panels (human 48 plex (and mouse 48 plex), but will no longer offer the human 80-plex cytokine assay.
NULISA: Our 250- plex Inflammation Panel is now complemented by a new 120-plex Neurology (CNS) panel. The NULISA platform offers the best value and sensitivity for projects with ~80 or more samples.
Olink: Now offering the Target 48 Neurodegenerative panel with 41 key biomarkers across Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, MS, and synaptic connection research. (pg/mL, absolute quantitation)
MSD: We now offer MSD electrochemiluminescence immunoassays for high-sensitivity detection of small panels of cytokines and related proteins (see the Immunoassay page for details).
Curio spatial transcriptomics: We are now performing Curio Trekker for spatial transcriptomics in combination with our BD Rhapsody single-cell sequencing platform. See our genomic page for more information.
The Immune Monitoring Virtual Course from September 16th 2020 is now archived and can be viewed through this link.
HIMC provides standardized, state-of-the-art immune monitoring assays at the RNA, protein, and cellular level, as well as archiving, reporting, and data mining support for clinical and translational studies. In partnership with the research community, we also work to test and develop new technologies for immune monitoring.
Immunoassays
We have standardized immunoassays for detection of human, mouse, rat and NHP cytokines, which can be used to analyze serum, plasma, cell culture supernatants, tissue homogenates, urine, CSF, lavages or other fluids. We measure multiple cytokines simultaneously using Luminex bead arrays with up to 80 biomarkers or Olink PEA technology with up to 92 biomarkers per panel. Custom Luminex panels can be tailored or selected from multiple vendors (Thermo Fisher, EMD Millipore, R&D systems/Biotechne, Bio-Rad).
Mass Cytometry
Mass cytometry, or CyTOF (Fluidigm), is a variation of flow cytometry in which antibodies are labeled with heavy metal ion tags rather than fluorochromes. Readout is by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This allows for the combination of many more antibody specificities in a single samples, without significant spillover between channels. We have standardized panels for immunophenotyping, phenotyping+intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and phenotyping+phospho-CyTOF, each with 30 to 38 antibodies.
Genomics
For immunology-related projects, the HIMC offers full-service RNA and DNA extraction, Bioanalyzer and qubit analysis, BCR/TCR repertoire analysis, microfluidic qPCR arrays, RNAseq library preparation, and BD Rhapsody single-cell Abseq and transcriptomics assays, for human and mouse.
Flow Cytometry
Flow cytometry is used to assess immune cell phenotypes and functions. We offer standardized immunophenotyping, phosphoepitope, and intracellular cytokine assays for human blood cells. Our assays have all been optimized for use with cryopreserved PBMC; use with fresh samples must be coordinated in advance.
- Note to users: If work done with the HIMC produces data in a publication, you must acknowledge us (Stanford Human Immune Monitoring Center) in the publication. Further, if HIMC staff provide significant experimental design, data interpretation, or other intellectual contribution (as evaluated by the PI), then it is expected that these individuals will be coauthors on the publication.